Can machine



H. A. DOM

CAN MACHINE Jan. 12, 1965 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 30, 1961 INVENTOR. HARRYA DON BY R ICHEY, MS'lVf/YA/YJ FARR/N6 TON Jan. 12, 1965 H. A. DOM 3,165,203

CAN MACHINE Filed Jan. 30. 1961 '7 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEN TOR.

HAERYA-DOM BY R/c #5 )j MF/VE/V )2 191 REM/6 TON H. A. DOM

CAN MACHINE Jan..12, 1965 '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 30, 1961 INVENTOR. HA RR Y ,4. DOM

IV/VYiFA/ER/NISTO/V A 770 IVE Y5 Jan. 12, 1965 H. A. DOM 3,165,203

CAN MACHINE Filed Jan. 30. 1961 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. HARE Y A 00M ATTOR/VfY5 H. A. DOM

CAN MACHINE Jan. 12, 1965 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 30, 1961 INVENTOR. HARRY A 00M 4 TI'ORIVEYS H. A. DOM

CAN MACHINE Jan. 12, 1965 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Jan. 30, 1961 INVENTOR. HARRY A- 00M ATTORNEYS H. A. DOM

CAN MACHINE Jan. 12, 1965 '7 Sheets5heet 7 Filed Jan. 30, 1961 INVENTOR. HA ERYA 00M BY zevcHE);

MFA/INN Y FA RBI/V6 TON A r ORA/5Y5 United States Patent 3,165,203 CAN MACHINE Harry A. Dom, Tiffin, Ohio, assiguor to The National Machinery Company, Titfiu, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Filed Jan. 36, 1961, Ser. No. 85,865 12 Claims. (til. 2t)7-6) This invention relates generally to metal forming machines and more particularly to a machine adapted to cold extrude metal to form metallic containers or cans suitable for the storage of materials such as food stuff or the like.

.A container or can manufactured by a machine incorporating this invention is free of all seams and joints along its axial wall, and at one end, therefore, the possibility of leakage along such seams is eliminated. Preferably, the container is extruded from aluminum or an aluminum alloy to reduce the weight of the finished container and in many cases, eliminate the need for special surface coatings normally required for conventional can type containers. Aluminum is particularly advantageous for containers which require refrigeration such as cans containing beverages, since its high heat transfer rate substantially reduces the period of time required for coolingof the contained material.

The metallic blank prior to the extrusion is preferably in the form of a wafer or disc having a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the final article and a thickness suflicient to provide the correct mass of metal for the final article. Since the axial walls of the container are formed by flowing the metal back along a punch between the walls of the punch and the die, extreme accuracy of the terminal position of the punch relative to the die is essential to maintain the proper container height. In addition, it is necessary to provide a high degree of accuracy so that the bottom of the container will have the correct thickness. An extruding machine according to this invention is proportioned and arranged to maintain the high degree of accuracy necessary to produce uniform quality containers having thin side walls and bottom walls while operating at a high cyclic rate to provide a maximum machine output.

It is an important object of this invention to provide a new and improved machine for extruding hollow containers having uniform side wall and bottom wall thickness.

It is another important object of this invention to provide an extruding machine for producing extruded containers wherein the die can be adjusted while the machine is operating to compensate for wear or heating of the elements:

It is another object of this invention to provide a ne and improved feed system for an extruding machine wherein a relatively flat disc like blank is rapidly fed and accurately positioned in front of a die cavity for insertion into the die cavity by the extruding punch.

It is still another important object of this invention to provide an extruding machine for manfacturing seamless metallic containers incorporating improved conveyor means for transporting the finished article clear of the extrusion station without damage to the thin walls there of.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a new and improved cold extrusion machine for forming deep extruded metallic containers of thin section incorporating mechanical and pneumatic means cooperating to remove the finished article from the extruding punch without damage thereto.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a new and improved extruding machine having a punch (not shown).

3,165,203 Patented Jan. 12, 1965 carrying slide supported on preloaded rollers, thus eliminating all lateral play'of the punch enabling the manufacture of thin wall deep extruded metallic containers and the like.

Further objects and advantages will appear from the following description and drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation partially in longitudinal section illustrating the basic components of an extruding machine to which this invention is particularly suited;

FIGURE 1a is a fragmentary cross-section taken along 2a2a of FIGURE 1 illustrating the preloaded'bearing used to guide the slide;

FIGURE 2 is an'enlarged fragmentary vertical section illustrating the punch and die relationship and the position of the completed can or container at the moment of the completion of the extrusion operation;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary view taken along 3--3 of FIGURE 2 illustrating the structure of the end of the punch;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken along 4--4 of FIGURE 2 illustrating the stripper structure:

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary section taken along 5-5 of FIGURE 4 illustrating the mounting of the stripper segments;

FIGURE 6 is a cross-section taken immediately in front of the die face taken along 6-6 of FIGURE 1 illustrating the structural detail of the feed mechanism used to position blanks in front of the die and the drive mechanism for the conveyor which removes the completed blanks from the machine;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view taken along 77 of FIGURE 1 illustrating the loading carriage or transfer mechanism used to transport blanks from the feed chute to the fingers which retain the blank in position adjacent to the face of the die;

FIGURES is a cross-section taken along 8--8 of FIG- URE 1 illustrating the structure of the conveyor mechanism used to transport the completed containers out of the machine; and

FIGURE 9 is a plan view partially in section taken along 9-9 of FIGURE 1 illustrating the die adjustment mechanism enabling the adjustment of the die position while the machine is operating.

The preferred form of this invention is incorporated into a horizontal extruding machine of the type illustrated in FIGURE 1 which includes a frame 10 on which is journaled a crankshaft 11. A gear 12 is mounted on one end of the crankshaft 11 and is driven by a suitable power source such as an electric motor through a pinion shaft A slide 13 is guided in the frame 10 for reciprocation in a horizontal direction by preloaded rollers 14. The rollers 14 are mounted on the frame 10 to vertically support the slide 13 in the proper position. Opposed rollers (illustrated in FIGURE 1a) 15 are adjustably mounted to cooperate with the rollers 14 to laterally position the slide 13 and are adjusted to preload all of the rollers. By utilizing rollers with a positive preload below their elastic limit to guide the slide, it is possible to eliminate all clearance which would be necessary in slide type bearing surfaces and provide positive I guiding. This structure provides the arcuate guiding of the slide 13 necessary to produce uniform quality containers in spite of the long overhang of the punch.- The slide 13 is connected to the crankshaft 11 by a connecting rod 16 so that rotation of the crankshaft 11 causes reciprocation of the slide 13.

The left hand of the frame It} is provided with a die support structure shown in its entirety at 17. The die support structure or assembly includes a stationary wedge 18 bolted to the frame it} and a laterally movable 23 is threaded, By rotating the screw 23 in a direction which causes it to thread downwardly relative to the projection 22, it is possible to raise the movable Wedge 19 by virtue of the engagement between the screw '23 and the stationary wedgelS. This upward movement of the movable wedge 1@ results in a displacement of the die support 21 to the right, conversely, if the screw 23 is rotated in the opposite direction, the die support 21 is mover to the left. The mechanism used to lock the die support 21when properly adjusted will be described below in detail. p 7

Referring now to FIGURE 2, a die 24 is mounted in the die support 21 (illustratedin FEGURE 1) by means of a mounting plate 20 and collar 26. with a die cavity 27 into which a punch 28 projects in the forward extreme position of movement. The punch 23 is rigidly mounted by a mounting assembly 29 on the slide 13 to be reciprocated back and forth relative to the die cavity between the forward extreme position shown in FIGURE 2 and the rearward extreme position shown by the dotted line 25.

Prior to the extrusion the blank is in the form of a fiat disc having a diametersubstantially equal 'to the as illustrated at 31 in FIGURE 2. As the punch Z8 moves back away from the face of the die 24, it carries the extruded blank or container 31 rearwardly until the upper edge 32 of the container engages a stripper assembly 33 mounted on the frame of the machine.

The stripper assembly through its engagement with the upper edge 32 prevents continued movement ofithe eX-. truded container 31 with the punch and as a result, causes the container 31 to remain stationary while the punch continues to withdraw, thus, stripping the container from the punch.

The side walls of the container 31 are relatively thin and subject to damage so the stripper assembly 31 is used in conjunction with compressed air ejection. punch 28' is therefore form d with a central axial passage 34- through which compressed air is admitted in to assist the stripper assembly 33 in removing the container 31 from the punch 23. The axial passage 34 isconnected through a passage 36 in the slide 13 to a control vlave operated in a manner timed with the reciprocation of the slide ifs'so that compressed air is introduced intothe punch toward the end of the stri ping operation. The

punch is formed with a conical recess 37 at its forward end open to the axial passage 34. A conical plug38 is positioned within the conical recess and is mounted for limited axial movement relative thereto. During. the extrusion portion of the stroke it fits against the walls of the recess 37 and forms part of the end surface of the punch. After the stripping operationis started by the stripper assembly 33, air under pressure delivered through the passages 35, lifts the plug 38 away from the recess. This permits the air under pressure to flow into the container and assist in the stripping operation. the punch 28a is rcmovably mounted on the punch 23 by a threaded couplingzhb to permit installation of the plug 33.

The use of air to assist the stripper assembly 33 in the stripping of the container 31 from the punch is desirable since the upper edge 32 of the container is normally'not smooth. Therefore, the upper edge 32 usually engages the stripper assembly on one side or the other and this would cause a cocking action during the latter part of the stripping operation and distort the thin Walls of the The i The end of V tainer 31 wouldbe shot away from the punch;

aluminum container if the air. ejection were not used to assist in the removal of the container from the punch.

On the other hand, if air ejection alone were used, high pressures would be required with the result that the con i This, of course, would cause damage to the container since the walls are relatively thin. A controlvalve or apresf sure regulator is provided to regulate the pressure at the T he die is formed wardly therefrom to insurethis engagement.

. plate 47 and a ring member. 48 bolted thereto.

desired value. The two stripping systems cooperate and permit the'high speed operation of the machine without any damage to the completed container;

The container dl .is positioned within a 'conveyor 4?. are; it is removed from the punch; They feed carriage 53, which is described in detail below, is located in alignment with the container during the latter'part of the stripping operation and operatesto prevent the container from blowing back outof the conveyor under'the infiuence of the ejection air. The conveyor 42' which is discussed below in detail operates to carry the completed container away-from the face of the" die and out of the machine.

Reference should now be made to FXGURES'A- and 5 for the detailed discussion ofthe stripperassembly structure. The stripper assembly 33 includes a plurality of stripper segments 43 having an arcuate inner wall proportioned to closelycnga'ge the wall of the punch 28. A sufficient number of segments 43 are provided to extend completely around the punch 23in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 4. move through a limited distance; radially relative to the punch and are resiliently urgedinto 'engagementwith the surface of the punch by a garter spring 44. I

Each of the segments is provided with a radially extending shoulder as which extends between amounting shoulders 4-6 therefore providecomplete positional control of the segments 43 while-permitting them to move radially to ride along the surface of the punch 28' Preferably, the inner surface of the segments 43 is shaped to provide only a forward edge 5E} inengagement with the surface of the punch 28' and a rake jor relief back- This rake or relief is illustrated at 4%. l j

The feed mechanism for delivering the blanks tobeextruded to the face of the die 24 is illustrated in FIGURE 6. Disc shaped blanks 51 are; fed into the machine through a feed chute 52. A feed carriage assembly 53 is mounted for. reciprocating lateral. motion from a retracted position in which it is adapted to receive a blank 51 from the chute and a forward position in which a blank is transported intoa pair of holding fingers 54 and 56.

Therholding lingers 54 andS are mounted on support arms 57 and 58. respectively. The support arms 57 a'nd 58 are pivoted on a feed frame 6l at 59 and 62 respectively.

support arm 58 in either direction causes the'opposite j rotation of the support arm 57.- ;Suitable adjusting means on the tooth structurefifi are provided so that the holding fingers 54 and'56 can beadjusted'to grip andposition a blank 51 immediately adjacent to the .face of the die cavity 27. i V I i j g A tension spring 64 is: connected to the teed frame 61 and to the support arm 57 to bias the support arm 57 in a counterclockwise direction, thus, resiliently. urging both of theholding fingers 54 and 56 toward each other so that they can grip a blank 5]. in the position immediately adjacent to the die cavity 2 7. I

A high degree precision in positioningthe blank in front of the die cavity can be achieved-by the use of holding fingers 54' and 56'which do not reciprocate for feeding even though the machine operates witha high cyclic rate.

Two separate linkage drives are provided to operate the feed mechanism; The first operates to reciprocate the feed carriage 53 and the second operatesto openand close These segments are free to- The the holding fingers 54 and 56. Both of these linkages receive their driving power from cams located on a cam shaft 64 which is driven by any suitable means in a timed manner relative to the crankshaft 11. Preferably, a one to one ratio gear drive (not shown) connects the cam shaft 64 to the crankshaft 11. A first cam 66 is keyed to the cam shaft 64 and operates to reciprocate a cam follower 67 mounted on a follower arm 68. The follower arm 68 is in turn pivoted at 69 on a rocker arm 71. A screw type adjustment assembly 72 extends through the follower arm 68 and a projection 73 formed on the rocker arm 71 permitting theadjustment of the follower arm 68 relative to the rocker arm '11 and the locking of the two in any desired position. Therefore, the reciprocating or oscillating motion of the follower arm 68 produces a similar motion in the rocker arm 71. By means of this adjustment, however, it is possible to adjust the linkage to provide the proper terminal positions of the oscillation of the rocker arm 71.

The rocker arm 71 is pivoted for oscillation around the axis 74 and is connected by a rod 76 to a feed carriage drive lever 77. Thus, the reciprocating motion of the rocker arm 71 is transmitted as reciprocating or oscillating motion to the drive lever 77. The drive lever 77 is pivoted on the frame of the machine at 78 and is formed with a forked upper end 79 in driving engagement with a roller 81 mounted on the feed carriage 53. Thus, the

shoulder 83 on the frame of the machine and a shoulder 84 on a push rod 86 to resiliently urge the push rod 86 upwardly of the machine. The upper end of the push rod 86 is pivotally connected at 87 to a projection 88 on the drive lever 77 so that the spring 82 operates to resiliently bias the drive lever 77 in a clockwise direction. This, in turn, resiliently urges the feed carriage 53 toward the forward feed position. The operation of the cam follower 67 and the cam 66, however, overcomes the action of the spring 82 and returns the feed carriage 53 to the retracted position of FIGURE 6 during the proper phase of the cycle. An adjustable stop 89 is positioned to engage the projection 88 and limit the clockwise rotation of the drive lever 77 and thereby determine the terminal position of rightward movement of the feed carriage 53. Since the forward movement of the feed carriage 53 is caused by the action of the spring 82 rather than a positive mechanical drive, the machine is'not damaged if a jam occurs. The positive mechanical drive, however, operates to retract the feed carriage, but this cannot cause damage because jamming of a blank would not prevent such rearward movement. The use of a positive mechanical drive timed with the drive of the punch insures exact synchronization of the feed mechanism. I A second cam 91 is mounted on the cam shaft 64 and a second cam follower 92 mounted on a cam follower lever 93 engages the cam 91. This lever is also mounted for oscillating movement around the pivot axis 74 and is connected to a rocker arm 94 by a rod 96. The rocker arm 94 is in turn pivoted for oscillating rotation about a pivot axis 97 and is provided with a lateral projection 98 which engages the lower end of a push rod 99. The push rod 99 extends through a guide 101 which positions the push rod 99 so thatits upper end engages a right hand extension 102 on the support arm 58. Through this linkage the oscillation of the cam follower lever 93 induced by the rotation of the cam 91, results in vertical reciprocation and the push rod 99. This reciprocation 0f the push rod 99 operates to permit the holding fingers 54 and 56 to close and grip the blank 51 in its proper position in front of the die cavity 27, but operates to open the fingers at the proper time to clear the punch 28 and the extruded blank. 7

A spring 103 extends between a fixed stop 104 on the frame and a projection 106 formed on the cam follower lever 93. This spring resiliently urges the cam follower 92 into engagement with the cam 91. Here again, the linkage and spring bias is arranged so that the force urging the two holding fingers 54 and 56 toward each other is produced by springs and the mechanical drive through the cam operates to open the holding fingers. This prevents damage to the machine in the case of jamming.

The two cams 66 and 91 are arranged so that the feed carriage 53 transfers a blank 51 from the chute 52 while the punch 28 is moving away from the die cavity 27. The feed carriage 53 positions a blank in the holding fingers 54 and 56 while the punch is spaced from the die face and then moves back so that the blank is pushed into the die cavity 27 by the punch 28 during its forward movement. The holding fingers 54 and 56 move apart under the influence of the cam 91 as the blank is pushed into the die cavity 27 by the punch and remain in the spread or open position until the next blank is transferred into position by the feed carriage 53.

A stop linkage is provided to stop the machine if a blank is not properly positioned by the holding fingers 54 and 56. This linkage includes an arm 107 pivoted at 108 and proportioned to engage the right hand projection 102 of the support arm 58. The right end of the arm 107 engages the operator 10% of a shut off switch 109 if the support arm 58 moves in clockwise direction beyond the position it assumes when a blank is properly supported thereby. This mechanism therefore senses the presence of a blank in position for the extruding operation. In the event that a blank is not properly located in front of the die cavity 27, the shut off switch 109 is tripped and this releases the clutch driving the crankshaft 11 and engages thebrake to top the machine. The reliable operation of theblank sensing linkage and the automatic shut off is extremely important since both the punch 28 and the die 24 could be severaly damaged if a blank is not properly positioned for extruding.

The feed frame 61 is pivoted to the frame 10 of the machine at 111 and is locked in the operative position by a clamp 112 during normal operation of the machine. However, the frame and the linkage supported thereby can be pivoted out of its position in front of the die to permit free access of the die for service. Preferably, the feed frame 61 is provided with an arm 113 connected to a counter-balance weight 114 by a cable 116 so that the frame can be pivoted easily by the service personnel.

The feed carriage 53 is shown in plan view in FIGURE 7. The carriage is guided in its reciprocating movement by a dove tail mounting on the feed frame 61 and includes a pair of spaced plates 117 and 118 between which the blank 51 is positioned during the feeding operation. As mentioned previously, the feed carriage 53 prevents the container from blowing out of the conveyor under the influence of the ejection air pressure. The timing of the carriage movement is therefore arranged so that the plate 118 is aligned with the punch during the later portion of the stripping operation.

A stop element 119 is mounted on a pivoted arm 121 and is formed with a hooked end 122 which extends into alignment with the blank 51 until the blank is transferred into the fingers 54 and 56. The arm 121 is pivoted on the feed frame 61 for rotation about a pivot axis 123 and is provided with a cam follower support 124 on which a cam follower 126 is mounted. The cam follower 126 engages a cam 127 mounted on the feed carriage 53 which is shaped to permit the hooked end 122 of the stop 119 to move clear of the blank 51 as the blank is moved forward 'toward the holding fingers 54 and S6. A compression spring 128 is used to hold the cam follower 126 in engagement with the cam 127. This structure insures'thatthe blank will be retained in the feed carriage 53 until it is transferred to the holding fingers 54 and 56. The acceleration of the feed carriage 53 retains the blank 51 in the carnage during the transfer movement itself.

' 7 V A support arm 129 shown in FIGURE 6 is mounted on the frame 61 and is provided with an upper surface 131to verticallysupport the blank 51, within the carriage 53. The conveyor 42 used to convey the finished container out of the machine is shown in detail in FIGURE 8 and the drive'for the conveyor is shown in FIGURE 6. The conveyor drive includes a chain schematically illustrated at 132which extends from a sprocket 133 on the cam shaft 154 to a sprocket on a drive shaft 134 of a Geneva drive 136. A suitable tensioning system 137 is adjustable to provide the correct tension in the chain 132. The

Geneva drive 136 is provided with the usual drive element 138 and star gear 139 This drive functions to provide intermittent step by step rotation of the star gear 139 under the influence of rotation of the drive element 138;

The star gear 139 is mounted on a pivot shafit 141 Which is the power shaft for the conveyor 42.

Referring now to FIGURE 8, the conveyor includes a pair of spaced chains 142 which extend around a pair of drive sprockets 143 mouuted'on the drive or power shaft 141 and around idler sprockets 144 and 146 on idler shaft 147 and 148 respectively. T he idler shafts 147 and 148 are journalled on side frames 149 pivotally mounted on the power shaft 141. Thus, the entire conveyor sys the die and punch. A spring 157 biases the latch member.

toward the latched position and a release mechanism is connected by a cable 158 to permit the release of the conveyor. A pneumatic actuator 159 is connected'to the side frames 149 to raise the conveyor back into the operating position. v

A plurality of spaced flites 161 are mounted between the chains 142 and are carried around through the conveyor by the intermittent movement of the chain caused by the Geneva drive 136 The various elements are proportioned so that the fiites 161 are spaced apart and distance which permits the positioning of an extruded containerbetween adjacent fiites and the drive is synchronized with the machine operation so that an extruded blank or container is deposited in the conveyor between each successive pair of flites each time a container is stripped from the punch. The container is completely confined and controlled after it is stripped from the punch and conveyed out of the right side of the machine as viewed in FIGURE 8. This complete confinement results from a cooperation betweenthe flites 161, .the stripper 33, the feed carriage 53, a cover plate 160 and a bottom plate 165 on the conveyor. The driveindexes the conveyor to the next position while-the punch is in its rearward most position clear of the conveyor mechanism. The conveyor permits the rapid handling of the relatively thin walled containers without damage to the containers and permits a very high cyclic rate of the machine.

A stop mechanism for the machine operates to sense the presence of an extruded container during the stripping operation so that the machine will automatically be.

stopped in the event that the machine malfunctions and a container is not located properly in the conveyor. This,

mechanism includes a cam 162 mounted on the input drive shaft 134 of the Geneva drive mechanism 136. The

cam operates a cam follower 163 which is connected through a linkage to a sensing arm 164 positioned adjacent to the extruding station. The cam 162 is-shaped so that the sensing arm 164 is held away from the punch and container excepting during the stripping operation at which time the sensing arm .164 is free to move into engagement, with the container being stripped. from the punch. A spring (not'shown) can be used to bias the sensing arm 164 toward the container. If the container is not properlypositioned at this location, the sensing arm moves upward and permits the'linkage to operate a shirt off switch 166. This shut off 'switch'like the switch 109 functions to stop the machine if a container is not properly located in the stripping position.

In orderv 0t permit the adjustment ofthe die 2.4 by means of the wedge 19 during machine operation, a structure illustrated in FIGURE 9 is utilized. A pair. o'fcover plates 1'70 bolt to the frame 10 and. prevent lateral movement of the die support zl qwhile permitting axial movement thereof. A pair of tie rods 166 and 167 extend through boresin the machine frame 10 andare threaded i'rito the die"support 21. Afspring 168 engages a thrust member 169'axially positioned relative the tie rod 166 by a pair of nuts 171. Similarly, a spring 172'provides tensionin the tie rod 167. These twosprings operate to resiliently hold'the die support 251 against; the movable wedge 1 9"during the warm up period of machine operation. This permits thewe'dge 19 to'be'. laterally moved toadjust the die support 211 and in turn move the die relative'to'the machine frame; 3 Once 'the propcr adjustment and equilibrium. are reached, lock nuts 173 aretightened to firmly clamp the die support 21 in the adjusted-position. i Y

It is important to provideprovisions for adjusting the die location While the machine is operatingsince very small en'ors'in the die location will resultinthe improperly formed containers due to the'fact that the'height of the final container is determined by the relative position of the die and the punch at the'end of thestroke. Since the machine functions at very high speeds, thedies and the punch expand due to the heating caused bythe extruding operations. Therefore, the machine is usually adjusted during the warm up operation to insure properly formed containers. This adjustment; also permits the adjustment of the die to compensate for Wear? during the machine operation. i a i A machine incorporating' this invention is capable of operating at very high cyclic rates since the feed accurate ly positions the blank in position in front of the die cavity even though the'machine is operatingat a high cyclic rate. This is due to the fact that the holding fingers do not have to oscillate back and forth, but rather are rigidly mounted in position. .Since'the. punch positively moves the blank'from the holding fingers into'the die'cavity entrapped air or the like within the die cavity does not produce'nralfunction even thoughthe operating speed is high The conveyor also enables the rapid removal of the completed container from. the die station without damaging the rather thin-walled completed container. The provision of adjustment'while operating also makes it possible to operate. at a high cyclic rate since the thermal expansion of the die and punch can be. compensated, thus, permitting operation at higher temperature levels. All of these featurescooperate with the roller supported slide to provide accurate high speed operation of the complete machine. a

Although a preferredembodiment-.ofthis invention is illustrated, it will be realized that various modifications of the structural details may be made without departing from the mode of operation and the essence of the invention. Therefore, except insofar as they .are claimed in the appended claims, structural'details may be varied widely Without modifying the mode of operation. Accordingly, the appended claimsandnot the aforesaid de tailed description are, determinative of the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is: p w I V a l. A machine for extruding hollow articles comprising a die, a punch reciprocable relative to said die cooperating therewith to extrude a blank along said punch, a conveyor enclosing said punchduring extrusion and operable to move extruded blanks away from said punch-and die,

stripper means for removing the hollow article from said punch while in said conveyor, and transfer means operable to transport blanks to a position adjacent said die, said transfer means having an element positioned in front of said die and said conveyor laterally confining said article as the article is stripped from said punch whereby said transfer means and conveyor cooperate with said stripper means to completely confine said article while it is stripped from said punch.

2. An extruding machine comprising a stationary die, an elongated punch axially reciprocable relative to said die between a forward position in said die and a rearward position spaced therefrom, said die and punch cooperating to extrude thin walled blanks back along said punch, a stripper .ring formed of a plurality of segments resiliently urged into engagement with the side of said punch engaging the edge of the open end of said blank while saidpunch is moving toward said rearward position and preventing movement of said blank therewith, and compressed gas means introducing gas under pressure between said blank and punch while said stripper is in engagement with said blank cooperating with said stripper to simultaneously apply stripping forces to both ends of said blank to move said blank from said punch.

3. An extruding machine comp-rising a stationary die, an elongated punchaxially reciprocable relative to said die between a forward position in said die and a rearward position spaced therefrom, said die and punch cooperating to extrude thin walled blanks back along said punch, a stripper ringformed of a plurality of segments resilient- Iy urged into engagement witn the side of said punch engaging the edge of the open end of said blank while said punch is moving toward said rearward position and preventing movement of said blank therewith, compressed gas means introducing gas under pressure between said blank and punch while said stripper is in engagement with said blank cooperating with said stripper to simultaneously apply stripping forces to both ends of said blank to move said blank from said punch, and conveyor means surrounding said blank while it is being removed from said punch operable to move said blank clear of said punch.

4. A metal forming machine comprising a stationary die, an upsetting tool movable'into said die, a chute through'which blanks are fed to a first position, holding means including a pair of scissor like gripping arms pivoted at fixed locations relative to said die adapted to support blanks in a second position adjacent said die, and a carriage adapted to receive blanks at said first position and transfer such blanks to said holding means at said second position, said upsetting tool engaging blanks supported in said holding means and moving such blanks into said die.

5. A metal forming machine comprising a stationary die, a reciprocating upsetting tool movable into said die, a chute through which blanks are fed to a first position, holding means mounted in a fixed location relative to said die adapted to support blanks in a second position adjacent said die, a carriage adapted to receive blanks at said first position and transfer such blanks to said holding means at said second position, said upsetting tool engaging blanks supported in said holding means and moving such blanks into said die, said holding means including opposed fingers pivoted for movement between a gripping position in which a blank is supported and an open position, and drive means connected to reciprocate said upsetting tool and moving said fingers to said open position while said tool is upsetting said blank.

7 6. An extruding machine comprising a fixed die, a punch reciprocable relative to said die between a forward position within said die and a rearward position spaced therefrom, said die and punch cooperating to extrude blanks therebetween forming a thin wall container extending back along said punch, transfer means operative to transport blanks to a position adjacent to said die for extrusion, a stripper engaging said thin wall of said container when said punch is moving toward said retracted position preventing movement of said container therewith, a conveyor positioned around said container When said container engages said stripper operative to transport completed containers to positions clear of said punch and die, said transfer means having an element positioned in front of said die and said conveyor laterally confining'said article as the article is stripped from said punch vwhereby said transfer means and conveyor cooperate with said stripper to completely confine said container while it is being removed from said punch.

7. An extruding machine comprising a fixed die, a punch reciprocable relative to said die between a forward position within said die and a rearward position spaced therefrom, said die and punch cooperating to extrude blanks therebetween forming a thin wall container extending back along said punch, transfer means operative to transport blanks to a position adjacent to said die for extrusion, a stripper engaging said thin wall of said container when said punch is moving toward .said retracted position preventing movement of said container therewith, compressed gas'means operative to admit gas under pressure between said punch container while said container is being stripped from said punch cooperating with said stripper to apply stripping forces to both ends of said container to remove said container from said punch, a conveyor positioned aroundsaid container when said container engages said stripper operative to transport completed containers to positions clear of said punch and die, said conveyor cooperating with said stripper and transfer means to completely confine said container while it is being removed from said punch.

8. An extruding machine comprising a frame, a fixed die on said frame, a punch reciprocable relative to said die between a forward position within said die and a rearward position spaced therefrom, said die and punch cooperating to extrude blanks therebetween forming a thin Wall container extending back along said punch, transfer means operative to transport blanks to a position adjacent to said die, a plurality of stripper segments supported on said frame for radial movement relative to said punch, spring means resiliently urging said segments toward said punch, said segments engaging said thin wall of said container and said punch is moving toward said retracted position preventing movement of said container therewith, a conveyor positioned around said container when said container engages said stripper operative to transport completed containers to positions clear of said punch and die, said transfer means having an element positioned in front of said die as said container is stripped from said punch, said conveyor cooperating with said stripper and transfer means to completely confine said container while it is being removed from said punch, said punch being clear of said stripper when in said rearward position.

9. An extruding machine comprising a frame, a fixed die supported by said frame, a punch reciprocable relative to said die cooperating therewith to extrude a blank, first transfer means operative to position blanks adjacent to said die for extrusion, second transfer means operative to receive extruded blanks and transport them to a location spaced from said punch and die, first stop means associated with said first transfer means operative to stop punch reciprocation in the absence of a properly positioned blank adjacent said die, and second stop means associated with said second transfer means operative to stop said punch reciprocation in the absence of an extruded blank properly positioned within said second transfer means.

10. A cyclic operating extruding machine comprising a frame, a fixed die supported by said frame, a punch reciprocable relative to said die cooperating therewith to extrude a blank, first transfer means operative to position blanks adjacent to said die for extrusion, second transfer 'means'operative to receive extruded blanks and transport them to a location spaced from said punch i and die, first stop means associated with said first transfer means operative to sense the absence of a properly positioned blank adjacent said die and stop punch reciproj cation; second stop means associated with said second transfer means operative to sensethe absence of an extruded blank properly positioned within said second transfer means and stop punch reciprocation, and drive means connected toboth stop means operable in a timed rela-' of said die when said punch is in said forward position,

tionship to punch reciprocation permitting said stop 'means 1 to function only during the portion of the machine cycle when a blank should be in the sensing position.

11. A machine for extruding hollow articles comprising a hollow die,ia punch reciprocable relative to said die between a forward position within said die and a rearward position'spaced from said die, feed means'positioning blanks in a position adjacent to the open face ofsaid die While said punch isspaced'from said forward position and proportioned so that movement of said punch to said forward position transfers blanks from said feed means into said die, movement of said punch to said forward position extruding said blank rearwardly along said punch,a conveyor positioned around said punch on the side of said feed means remote of said die when said punch is in said forward position, said punch being clear of said conveyor when in said rearward position, stripper;

means operable during the movement of said punch 'to said rearward position to remove said extrudedblank from said punch, said feed means including an element positioned in front of said die during the stripping of.

said extruded blank from said punch, said conveyor, stripper means and feed means operating to completely confine said extruded blank as it is being stripped from said punch, and drive means connected to operate said conveyor in timed relationship to the movement of said punch whereby said conveyor transfers'extruded blanks clear of said' punch before forward movement thereof.

12. A machine-for extruding hollow articles comprising a hollow die, a punchireciprocable relative to said die between a forward position within said die and a rearward position spaced from said die, feed means positionsaid punch being clear of said conveyor when in said rearwardpositiori, stripper means, operable during the movement'ofsaicl punch to saidirearward position to remove said extruded blank fromsaid punchisaid feed means includingva'n element positioned'in front of said die as said extruded blank'is stripped from said punch, said conveyor 'stripper means and feed means operating to complet'elyconfine said extruded blank as it is being stripped fromisaid punch, and'drive' means connected to operate said conveyorin timed relationship tothernovement of said punchjwhereby said, conveyor transfer extruded blanks clear of saidpunch'before forward movement thereof.

, References C ited the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,543,823 Buscher June 30, 1925 1,591,929 Richardson July6, 1926 1,886,459 Witte Nov. 8, 1932 1,900,666 Prussing -1 Mar. 7, 1933 1,977,824 Fair Oct. 23,1934

1,979,478 Leland Nov.,6, 1934 2,017,784 Clouse 'Oct. 15, 1935 2,023,879 Friden Dec. 10,1935

2,096,245 Heinze et al.*. Oct. 19, 1937 2,289,787 Ka'schke et a1. JU 1y 14, 1942 2,295,138 Temple Sept. 3, 1942 2,365,482 Manken et al..- ;"De c.j19, 1944 2,708,511 Wilson May 17, 1955' 2,918,333 1 Friedman Dec.'22, "1959 r 2,985,320 Kent May 23,1961

FOREIGN PATENTS r 1,163,770 France Apr; 28, 1958 146,621 Ger-many -May 22, 1902 798,365

Great Britain -1 "July 16, 1958 

12. A MACHINE FOR EXTRUDING HOLLOW ARTICLES COMPRISING A HOLLOW DIE, A PUNCH RECIPROCABLE RELATIVE TO SAID DIE BETWEEN A FORWARD POSITION WITHIN SAID DIE AND A REARWARD POSITION SPACED FROM SAID DIE, FEED MEANS POSITIONING BLANKS IN A POSITION ADJACENT TO THE OPEN FACE OF SAID DIE WHILE SAID PUNCH IS SPACED FROM SAID FORWARD POSITIONS, SCISSOR TYPE GRIPPING ELEMENTS PIVOTED AT FIXED POSITIONS RELATIVE TO SAID DIE, RECEIVING BLANKS FROM SAID FEED MEANS AND HOLDING BLANKS IN A POSITION ADJACENT TO SAID OPEN FACE, SAID PUNCH ENGAGING BLANKS HELD IN SAID GRIPPING ELEMENTS DURING MOVEMENT TOWARD SAID FORWARD POSITION AND MOVING SUCH BLANKS INTO SAID DIE, MOVEMENT OF SAID PUNCH TO SAID FORWARD POSITION EXTRUDING SAID BLANK REARWARDLY ALONG SAID PUNCH, A CONVEYOR POSITIONED AROUND SAID PUNCH ON THE SIDE OF SAID FEED MEANS REMOTE OF SAID DIE WHEN SAID PUNCH IS IN SAID FORWRD POSITION, SAID PUNCH BEING CLEAR OF SAID CONVEYOR WHEN IN SAID REARWARD POSITION, STRIPPER MEANS OPERABLE DURING THE MOVEMENT OF SAID PUNCH TO SAID REARWARD POSITION TO REMOVE SAID EXTRUDED BLANK FROM SAID PUNCH, SAID FEED MEANS INCLUDING AN ELEMENT POSITIONED IN FRONT OF SAID DIE AS SAID EXTRUDED BLANK IS STRIPPED FROM SAID PUNCH, SAID CONVEYOR, STRIPPER MEANS AND FEED MEAND OPERATING TO COMPLETELY CONFINE SAID EXTRUDED BLANK AS IT IS BEING STRIPPED FROM SAID PUNCH, AND DRIVE MEANS CONNECTED TO OPERATE SAID CONVEYOR IN TIMED RELATIONSHIP TO THE MOVEMENT OF SAID PUNCH WHEREBY SAID CONVEYOR TRANSFER EXTRUDED BLANKS CLEAR OF SAID PUNCH BEFORE FORWARD MOVEMENT THEREOF. 